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By Region: North America

Does the dangerous new Middle East coronavirus have an African origin?

(EurekAlert) The MERS-coronavirus is regarded as a dangerous novel pathogen: Almost 50 people have died from infection with the virus since it was first discovered in 2012. To date all cases are connected with the Arabian peninsula. Scientists from the University Bonn (Germany) and South Africa have now detected a virus in the faeces of Read More »

July 25, 2013
| Filed under Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, International, and Public Health
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Model reveals quick spread of potential bioterrorism attacks

(HeraldSun)Scientists at Northeastern University in Boston hypothetically released smallpox in London, New York, Paris, and other major cities, and then simulated it being carried by travellers to other countries. They published their findings in Scientific Reports, saying they believe a deliberate smallpox infection would spread to up to four countries before doctors diagnosed it.These maps Read More »

July 25, 2013
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, Europe, North America, Bioterrorism, and Research
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Bioterrorism: A Dirty Little Threat With Huge Potential Consequences

(Forbes) In the early 1950s the evening of September 19th was simply another pleasant balmy night for the residents of San Francisco, California. The year so far had been a tumulus one for the United States, with a Korean War that would have a final death toll of 33,629 American military casualties together with 1.5 Read More »

July 22, 2013
| Filed under North America and Bioterrorism
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Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update

(WHO) The National Health and Family Planning Commission, China notified WHO of an additional laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. This is the first new confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus since 29 May 2013. The patient is a 61 year-old woman from Langfang City in Hebei Read More »

July 22, 2013
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, North America, and International
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Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update

(WHO) WHO has been informed of two additional laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in Saudi Arabia. Both the cases are currently critically ill and hospitalized in ICUs. The first case is a 41-year-old Saudi male in Riyadh who presented to the hospital with symptoms on 15 July. The second patient Read More »